Final Stage: Wheeling to Charge

Now we are in the final stages of wheeling to charge. It has taken two turns to do and it might work even though the Romans and their Latin Allies are slowly losing their greatest advantage in cohesion of their lines and with it support to the rear for exchanging lines and reducing casualties by breaking off.

Now we have seen how the Latin hastati have moved out of line and thus presented their own flank to the enemy. The Spanish were 7" away from the Latin hastati, so they could not declare a charge during the top of the turn (in the Charge Declaration Phase). During movement, they must move forward to get within at least 6" to hit the Latins next turn, providing they are still there. It would be wise for the Spanish to get as close as possible. Remember, during normal movement you want your units facing in the direction you wish them to go in the next turn Charge Phase. You cannot make contact except by charging or pursuing. In normal movement no unit can get closer than 1" from the enemy.

The Latin hastati will be able to inflict one automatic casualty and double either the figures fighting or their final melee factor on the flanked Spanish unit. There is little doubt of the outcome -- the Spanish should rout. But the Roman legion will be without its greatest advantage of support ot rear and the ability to exchange lines. While the Latins have eliminated a Spanish unit whose unit value is half their own cost, it might prove to be a hollow victory.

If nothing else, we have learned to wheel a unit. One end of the line remains stationary while the other end moves up to full. It is slow but it does work.